We are now in the final week of our journey together. I don't know how everyone in my class is coping with their inner anxieties, but I find myself in a constant marriage of reminiscing and looking forward to not only my future, but the bright futures ahead for my good friends. I am filled with excitement when I think of the possibility of running into them in the future, sharing experiences with them, remembering those little moments we shared together, and perhaps introducing any new little members that may have joined us along the way :)
By Troy Herring, member of the Class of 2014 I am extremely impressed with my classmate's ability to make things happen just in the nick of time (and of course with ample prep time, as well). Our production mentor, Risa Steinberg, has been gigantically helpful in this process, and we are so grateful for her! Senior Production was as smooth as a baby's bottom! I feel so lucky to have gotten to work next to these blossoming brilliant beauties for the past four years. Senior Production is not only a show but a reflection of my classmate's strengths, weaknesses, communication, wit, creativity, and most of all respecting each other's ideas. I didn't even know that there was even more to learn from these amazing individuals! We are now in the final week of our journey together. I don't know how everyone in my class is coping with their inner anxieties, but I find myself in a constant marriage of reminiscing and looking forward to not only my future, but the bright futures ahead for my good friends. I am filled with excitement when I think of the possibility of running into them in the future, sharing experiences with them, remembering those little moments we shared together, and perhaps introducing any new little members that may have joined us along the way :) We have been through a lot together and have taught each other so many things, that not only incorporate our shared love of dance and art, but they also include life lessons applied to our everyday life. One of these tid-bits, for example, include the act of finding positivity in (almost) every situation. I was blessed to have been planted in a forever growing garden that feeds on finding light and positivity. Of course, there is so much brightness to be found inhabiting The Juilliard School. Cheers to my colleagues! I am so proud of our accomplishments! One more show! Lets do the damn thang!
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By Leiland Charles, member of the class of 2014. Photographs by Leiland Charles The title of this blog post is a quote I haven't been able to get out of my head since the day faculty member Laura Glenn said it to our class during 1st year Limón. I remember distinctly thinking to myself, “No way, this is going to be the slowest 4 years of my life. At least I hope it is.” A part of me never wanted the time here to end. I recount to Laura every now and then how she was absolutely correct. It’s unreal to think about how quickly the time has passed and how much has been done or not done in that amount of time. At this point, the class of 2014 is looking forward.
As we move quickly towards the May 23, 2014 finish line, there is still plenty of work to be done. So far, our final semester is not cutting us any slack. Senior Production rehearsals are off to a great start. I must say thank you to the 3rd year dancers for joining us in this process of creation. I am dancing in a work by Kyle Scheurich, fellow classmate and a wonderfully adoring friend of mine, whose work along with 6 other dancers from the graduating class, are set to premiere April 24, 2014. Along with this, we have just found out about casting for Juilliard Dances Repertory. The senior class along with 2nd and 3rd year dancers, will be performing the following works: The Jig Is Up by Eliot Feld, Concerto Six Twenty-Two by Lar Lubovitch and Baker's Dozen by Twyla Tharp, all set to open on March 21st! And during this time, the seniors are also prepping for, what I know to be my favorite show of the year, Senior Showcase, showing off repertory as well as new creations all done on the senior class either as solos or duets. There's no doubt that this is an exciting time for us all, but it does becoming extremely draining. During rehearsal periods, it is very likely that our days may sometimes run from 9AM to 9PM. Some of those days, all I want to do is pull my hair out, but hey, that’s life! Everything will not always go the way you want it or need it to go. All in all, it has been wonderful to be at a place where the talent pool is unparalleled and the community is welcoming. It has been a blessing to say the least. As I reminisce about my past few years at Juilliard, I keep wondering what I would say if someone asked me to describe the experience I have had here in one word. In all honesty, I don't think I could. Not only have I whirl winded through a fury of technique classes from Classical Ballet to Gaga, I have, along with everyone else in my class, been held back by obstacles, blinded by naivety, but nonetheless shared countless moments of love and artistic growth. All I can really say is, through all the blood, sweat and tears, it is definitely 4 years I will never forget. |